Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY346980 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2008 Inspection date Sharon Waterfall Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2006 and co-minds with her sibling at a premises in the east side of Coventry City. All areas of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding purposes. A large playroom at the bottom of the garden which will also be used and a small outdoor area is used for physical play opportunities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time alone or seven children when working with her co-minder. She is currently minding seven children under eight years of age and children attend for a variety of sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Children are taken and collected from local schools and nurseries within the area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health is not adequately promoted as the written and practical procedures for administering medication do not meet the requirements and potentially put children at risk. Important details are missing from records and parental permission to administer medication is not consistently obtained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Permission to seek emergency medical treatment is held for the children, accident records are completed appropriately and the sick children's policy is shared with parents before care commences ensuring that their well-being is promoted in the event of an emergency. Children become aware of the importance of personal hygiene procedures through the daily routines, such as hand washing before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy and nutritional snacks and meals ensure that children's dietary requirements are met. Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered on a daily basis and discussions with parents ensure that individual dietary needs are met. Drinks are available to the children at all times so that they are hydrated and do not get thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical activities that aid their large muscle development and the control of their bodies. Use of wheeled equipment, climbing frames, slides and pushchairs develops their balance and core muscle skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is welcoming and adapted to provide a play space specifically for children. Toys and resources are stored at low levels in specific playrooms. This facilitates children being able to independently choose and toys are rotated regularly to keep children interested. Resources are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development and the childminder supervises their choices supporting their development and suitability for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The environment is safe and secure as the childminder has identified and assessed hazards through a written risk assessment and put strategies into place to minimise them. For example, safety gates restrict access to the stairs and locks on cupboards ensure cleaning fluids are out of children's reach. Children learn to keep themselves safe as clear emergency evacuation procedures are in place and are practised on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected as the childminder is aware of her responsibilities in safeguarding children. Local reporting procedures are known and regular training in this area is attended.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a range of age-appropriate activities and experiences that promote their overall development. The playroom is organised to ensure that children can choose their own resources, such as books, jigsaws and activity centres. Topics and themes support the ideas for activities, such as colour days where the children all dress or bring in from home something of a specific colour. Festivals throughout the year are celebrated as children make cards and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 decorations in creative activities such as collage and paintings. Imaginative play and enjoyment of stories have been combined as children act out favourite stories in a puppet theatre.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The experiences are broadened by regular visits to toddler groups where the children are able to socialise with peers. The groups provide a variety of differing activities to those provided within the home and the opportunities to take part in group sessions. In the main extended creative and messy play opportunities are provided to aid the children experiencing and exploring texture and being creative. The children play in sand and water, do painting and colouring, have made plaster cast hands and engage in singing and dancing sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is beginning to track children's current progress to enable her to plan a range of activities that specifically meet children's needs. Children's understanding and respect of diversity within the community is developed as they celebrate a range of cultural festivals throughout the year. This includes food tasting activities, stories and craft. Young children develop their individuality and self-esteem through lots of positive interaction and praise. The childminder has an appropriate knowledge of the issues relating to the care of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective positive strategies are in place to support children's behaviour and encourage their understanding of appropriate social skills. Activities and games are valuable when learning about sharing and turn taking with their peers. Distraction is used if possible and discussions about appropriate behaviour take place.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships have been formed with parents through continual discussions and information sharing about the children. The information is effectively used by both parties to consistently meet the needs of the children. Written daily diaries are in place for children under three years of age to ensure parents are aware of children's care needs throughout the day. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and folders of children's craft activities are taken home by children demonstrating to parents the activities that they have been completing.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has begun to further develop her knowledge of childcare through attending regular and appropriate childcare training and courses. The information gained has led to reviews and assessments of aspects of care therefore benefiting the children overall. The premises are organised to support children's play and provides large areas for free play.

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Organisation

The childminder is warm and caring towards the children and demonstrates that she enjoys caring for young children. However, she is not fully involved with the business arrangements of the service she provides with a co-minder and subsequently is unaware the legalities of maintaining documentation and her equal responsibilities within the service. A condition of registration has been breached regarding the registered numbers of children cared for and the attendance registers do not accurately reflect children's actual attendance. These have led to an inadequate judgement as children's safety is compromised, therefore the needs of the children who attend are not met.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Improvements since the last inspection

Not applicable as this is the first inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children • ensure that you are fully aware of the legalities and responsibilities of being a registered childminder, maintain accurate documentation and remain within registered numbers at all times. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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